My name is Cherry Li, a 12th grader at SAIS, and this year, I was incredibly honored to receive a half scholarship from the school. This recognition was both a delightful surprise and a validation of my past efforts. Upon hearing the news, I felt a mix of joy and emotion, as it reminded me of the challenging yet rewarding journey I’ve had with the piano.

From the moment I first touched the piano keys as a child, music has been an integral part of my life. What began as simple curiosity evolved into a profound commitment, requiring countless hours of practice and dedication. Each step—from mastering basic techniques to tackling complex repertoires and competing in high-level competitions—has demanded perseverance and resilience.

During my university exam preparations, balancing academics with daily piano practice often left me physically and mentally drained. Yet, it was precisely in those moments of exhaustion that I discovered my strength and determination, pushing through limits I never thought I could surpass. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of participating in numerous piano competitions and contributing to school concerts. While the preparation process was often rigorous, the sense of fulfillment I felt standing on stage, hearing the applause from the audience, made every effort worthwhile.

Receiving this scholarship is more than just a recognition of past achievements—it’s a source of motivation for the future. It reinforces my belief that with focus, dedication, and hard work, success is always within reach. Moving forward, I am excited to continue expressing myself through music and sharing its beauty with more people.

I am deeply grateful to SAIS for their support and trust. This scholarship is not only an acknowledgment of my journey so far but also a promise for what lies ahead. I will continue to strive for excellence and make the most of this opportunity.

I am currently studying at Shenzhen American International School. This school helps students find their future paths by providing high-quality education using the AP and IB-DP programmes. Thus, the school offers a scholarship programme for students who value their education more and need extra motivation to pursue their dream universities. Our scholarship has programmes of different amounts and requirements, each prepared for students willing to challenge themselves to various degrees.

My chief motivation for joining this school last year was indeed the scholarship programme, as I believed it would incentivize me to pursue my academic future with more passion. Back then, the full scholarship criteria for 9th-grade students were not too demanding, and I did manage to fulfil all of these requirements. The requirements at the time were:

• 1: GPA above 3.8
• 2: TOEFL score of 95 or equivalent Duolingo English test score
• 3: MAP test percentile of 90 or higher
• 4: Notable competition awards
• 5: Social service

I benefit from my scholarship at school in multiple ways. Firstly, the scholarship’s rigorous demands drive me to study more actively and manage my time more efficiently. Secondly, the scholarship also increases my sense of self-worth, which improves my overall emotional well-being at this school. Lastly, being a scholarship student also helps with college applications, as it helps me stand out among other competing students.

To maintain my scholarship, I must fulfil more difficult requirements each year to prove my academic capabilities. To maintain my scholarship this year, I have to meet the following criteria:

• 1: 5 AP subjects with a score of 5
• 2: SAT of 1510 or higher
• 3: Have extracurricular activities
• 4: Notable competition awards

In conclusion, our school’s scholarship programme helps aspiring students develop their true potential and provides help for students in financial need. Overall, SAIS’s excellent faculty and well-designed curriculum will aid students holistically in their academic development; the scholarship programme only pushes students a step further on their paths to success.